For Immediate Release
Oct. 1, 2010
Contact: Carmen Fenton
512-469-0171|512-673-3906
LOCKHART, TEXAS – A Lockhart man was arrested Thursday for theft of livestock. TSCRA Special Ranger Doug Hutchison with the help of TSCRA Special Ranger Gary Baros and John Hahn, TSCRA market inspector, led the investigation.
On Sept. 24, Jose Alfredo Ramon, 34, allegedly stole one cow and two calves from Alton Williams, a rancher and TSCRA member from Luling, Texas.
Williams discovered the padlock on his pasture gate had been cut and his loading pens and chutes had been used. After a head count of his cattle, he realized the cow and two calves were missing.
Investigations by Hutchison revealed that three head of cattle matching the description of the stolen cattle were sold at the Gonzales livestock auction on Sept. 25.
Hutchison confiscated the check, recovered the cattle and returned them to their owner.
“Keeping a close eye on your livestock and property and immediately report missing livestock to TSCRA can save valuable time during the recovery process,” said Hutchison. “Branding cattle, displaying the TSCRA gate sign and keeping accurate and organized descriptions and records are also ways ranchers can protect themselves against cattle thieves.”
Theft of three head of cattle is a third degree felony. If convicted Ramon could receive up to 10 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
TSCRA has 29 Special Rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
TSCRA market inspectors aid the Special Rangers by collecting brands and other identifying marks on 4 to 5 million cattle sold at 115 Texas livestock markets each year.
Market inspectors report their findings to TSCRA’s Fort Worth headquarters, where the information is entered into the nation’s largest brand recording and retrieval system. This database is the first source checked when a special ranger receives a theft call.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.
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